February 2011 – History Books Review

Diocletian’s Character: Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 13 Part 3

The Palace of Diocletian at Split From when he became president to his resignation, we know virtually every word that Richard Nixon said. Acres of print have been covered in…

February 24, 2011

Diocletian and the Borders: Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 13 Part 2

Being British I share Gibbon's interest in events in Britain, but in reality what was going on elsewhere was a lot more significant. Indeed Carausius may well have calculated that…

February 19, 2011

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

Here’s something to look out for the next time you see footage on a documentary of the concentration camps in the Second World War. You often see people being dusted with a powder.

February 12, 2011

Two Very Different Revolts: Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 13 Part 2

A coin from the Britannic Empire of Carausius - Wth thanks to Wikipedia In Gaul, early in the reign of Diocletian the peasants rose in revolt. Hang on, peasants? In…

February 10, 2011

Diocletian, the Tetrarchy: Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 13 Part 1

Diocletian - Humble Birth, Great Achievements (thanks to Wikipedia for the image) There are just over a hundred recorded Roman emperors but few of them had as much impact as…

February 3, 2011